NEW DELHI: After the terrorist attack in Pulwama on February 14, 2019, which led to the heroic death of 40 jawans, another massacre that shocked the nation has taken place today in the tourist area of Pahalgam. The difference is that while in 2019, the target was soldiers, today it was civilian tourists who were attacked. In retaliation for Pulwama, in February 2019, India crossed the Line of Control airspace, entered Pakistan and bombed three camps of Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists, killing 325 terrorists. Everyone is eagerly waiting to see if India will carry out such a retaliation in return for Pahalgam.
Pulwama attack:
A terrorist rammed a vehicle loaded with explosives into a convoy of Indian security personnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Lethpora in Pulwama district. 40 CRPF personnel and the suicide bomber, Adil Ahmad Dar, a Kashmiri native, were killed. The Pakistani terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility for the attack.
The attack affected India-Pakistan diplomatic relations. The most favoured nation status that had been granted to Pakistan was withdrawn. Jaish terrorist Muhammad Ismail Alvi, who was a key player in the conspiracy and planning of the attack, was shot dead by security forces in July 2021. He is the nephew of Jaish-e-Mohammed founder Maulana Masood Azhar.
After the Pulwama incident, the central government gave the Indian army complete freedom to retaliate and also started a move to isolate Pakistan, which is a sponsor of terrorist organizations, internationally. Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that the heroic death of the jawans will not be in vain and that India will retaliate. Modi said that the army can decide the time, place and manner of retaliating. National parties including Congress had declared their support for the central government.
Balakot Strike
12 days after the massacre of 40 CRPF jawans, Indian fighter jets crossed into Pakistan on February 26, 2019, violating its airspace and bombing three camps of Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists. 325 people were killed, including Jaish chief Masood Azhar's right-hand man and brother-in-law Yusuf Azhar, and some other top terrorists targeted by India.
In a 21-minute operation from 3.45 am to 4.06 am, twelve Mirage 2000 fighter jets dropped 1000 kg laser-guided bombs with precision strike capabilities. The Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest terror training camp in Balakot, and camps in Muzaffarabad and Chakothi in occupied Kashmir were destroyed. The first attack was in Muzaffarabad.
The Pulwama attack, which ignited nationalist sentiments across the country, and the subsequent retaliation, are history, as the BJP-led central government gained in the Lok Sabha elections held months later.